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Out-and-About, Fall 2013
Some months ago, I was asked by a community member just how long I was planning to keep this fairly mundane blog about utility cycling going. My interlocutor was trying to get me to take a more...
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Bush Park Carriageway: on the wish list for next Christmas...
Now that Christmas is over (happy Epiphany, everyone!), I thought it appropriate to begin my "Salem Cycling Wish List" for the New Year. The first item on this list is an improvement to cycling in Bush...
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Wayside Attractions
This winter in Western Oregon has been very dry…indeed, disconcertingly so. We are being warned about the dire state things could be in by this summer if "present trends continue," and thus are...
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The Hidden Meanings in Campaign Signs
It is City Council campaign season once again in our neighborhood, and the signs for candidates are sprouting like dandelions. Neighbors about whom one usually knows only what their glass recycling bin...
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Taking My Time
It has been months since I last wrote something on this blog, and that post was only vaguely bicycle related. So, I began to think (while on vacation, which gives me time to think, when I come to...uh,...
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It's the Little Things...
Back in the mid-20th century, the French had a sort of "answer" to Bing Crosby in the form of the great crooner Jean Sablon. He had a truly elegant voice and somewhat “Hollywood” features, combining to...
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Braking News...
After a couple of years or so, I have finally worn out my original brake pads on Hugo the Raleigh Roadster. The pads that came with it were rather small, but they seemed to do the job. I found out from...
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Cycling and Introversion
A great deal is being written about introversion and extraversion (not “extroversion,” as some seem intent on calling it) in today’s common culture. I suppose it is somewhat predictable that all sorts...
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Thoughts on Cycling in Oregon’s (or Anyone Else’s) Rain
Hugo in the garage: ready for the rainy season.It is time, I think, to talk about utility cycling in the rain. This is, after the questions of safety and physical preparedness, one of the most frequent...
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The Simplicity and Mystery of Cycling
Viewed from the side (as most of the time happens in real life and in bike ads), a bicycle can appear fairly complicated and massive. Some bikes really are both. Viewed from above, however, most bikes...
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Reactivating and a Some Thoughts about Experience and Respect Amongst...
I’m finally starting to come out of blog-hibernation, though this would hardly be of interest to anyone. Yet, I’ve been thinking about some things that I would like to share abroad in the Salem...
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The Importance of Being Seen
Building on the theme of my last post, I'm thinking about the issue of visibility while riding.I have found it very helpful to be pretty illuminated while out on the streets of Salem. This time of year...
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The Phoney War
The technological world in which we live encourages multi-tasking in every venue of life, from bathroom blogging to cycling while on the phone. The above image, gleaned from the Interwebs, suggests a...
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Seen along the way...
As one pedals about in Salem, various encounters along the way enhance the experience--especially during such a run of fine weather.This winter has been horrific for many in the Eastern two-thirds of...
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An Oatcake-y sort of day...
All year, but especially during Lent, one of my favorite snacks is the lowly oatcake. They are easy to make, easy to clean up after preparing, and very healthy. They are especially tasty with a hot cup...
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So: Which is It?
There are a lot of times in life when we are legitimately confused. I’m not talking about the times when we are willfully confused (being exasperated with ludicrous bureaucracy) or tactically confused...
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Putting a Price Tag on Everything
I was recently cycling from church back home through Bush Park. Going along slowly as I do, there a plenty of opportunities to see interesting things along the way. As I started to pass by the Bush...
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Back to life & a new series on bike stands...
In case anyone is actually interested, this post is meant to formally "reactivate" this blog.Some months ago I was diagnosed with cancer. Many things changed suddenly and dramatically. My focus went to...
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Unfinished Escher Staircase Found in Salem, Oregon
Today the art world was staggered by news of the discovery in Salem, Oregon of a work of art thought lost, but actually only misplaced. We speak here of M.C. Escher’s unfinished and unique sculptural...
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Signs of the Times
I have a penchant for taking pictures of signs…especially strange or ironic ones. I’ve done this for years and derive a kind of mild pleasure reviewing them from time to time. The small follies of...
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Getting Better in Salem
And you thought I had packed it in! Well, no, not really. Just taking an extended break from posting here. With autumn, my attention has turned back to thinking about cycling and especially utility...
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Upright Cycling in October
October is one of my favorite months. There are years when it seems still part of summer; others when winter is already twisting its fingers around the nights and mornings. Crisp, clear October skies...
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Ode to the Daily Ride
After arriving home recently from my usual commute between home and my church office, I snapped a picture of my bike in its accustomed place, snugly situated in our 1920s garage between the car and...
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Vivat, Gualterus (Walter)!
The whole (English) Enchilada, now well into its fifties...like me.A few weeks ago I was able to perform the necessary surgery (in what, I assure you, was the most jury-rigged of repair shops) to...
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Blocked Arterial
Today I experienced one of the fairly frequent hazards of utility cycling in a country where two-wheeled traffic is more of a curiosity or a nuisance than a standard practice.As I trundled along 13th...
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